When you shave, it's common to get nicks and cuts. For ages, many a man has patched his face with a dab or two or 12 of toilet paper. While TP may keep your newly shaven face free of blood, the problem comes when you try to take off the paper. Removing the paper may reopen the wound, giving you a fresh burst of blood. Instead, try using a styptic pencil or an alum block, available at pharmacies. Both are made from natural astringents and caterizing agents such as aluminum and potassium. Styptic pencils and alum blocks are available at Wal-Mart or most pharmacies and drugstores and range in price from about $2 to$ 20.
—Donovan Atkinson
Healing a nick in no time
BeadedVotives
Courtesy of mefisher.com and letterbelight.com
If you're looking for a fun and easy way to spruce up your candles, try adding beads to them. Barbara Van Hoesen, event coordinator at Michael's Arts and Crafts, 3106 Iowa St., made a beaded candle to display at the store. To make your own, Van Hoesen suggests using double-sided Terrifically Tape, which you can find at Michael's, and any candle.
Wrap the tape around the candle and then press the beads into the tape until they're secure. Van Hoesen uses larger beads first and then fills in holes with clear micro beads. She says the candles are fun to make because they are so easy and can be customized to fit any holiday or event.
—Lynn Hamilton